Zeitgeisty Report interviews Scott Lucas

Best-known for their slamming 1996 anthem, “Bound to the Floor”, which will forever go down in history as the best use of the word ‘copasetic’ in a song, Scott Lucas and Local H have continued to carve out a fine career, touring relentlessly, while putting out their distinct brand of power-pop going on 15 years.

Their unique two man arrangements and innovative syncopated sound has had a significant influence on the next wave of indie rock. You can definitely hear strains of their sonic fingerprint all over bands like ‘At the Drive In’, ‘And They Will Know us by the Trail of Dead’ and of course that other little two person group…’The White Stripes’.

It was my pleasure to sit down for a little chat with this legendary veteran of the Chicago scene…

So, Scott, I’m going to begin this little Q&A by revealing a bit of shared history.

In 1996, the first Local H album, ‘As Good as Dead’ was released.  Its single garnered you great critical and commercial success. That same year, a lesser known band called ‘Johnny Bravo’ dropped their first (and only) major label effort to far less acclaim… I happened to be in that band.

We were genuine fans of yours, we even wrote a song as an homage to your band called ‘Prep H’, which featured your iconic ‘stabbing’ use of syncopation. I remember seeing you play ‘Brownies’ in NYC and being amazed at how much noise you were able to make with just two people. I believe out of all the disposable crap that came out around at that time, that first record of yours stands above the fray and is just as fresh-sounding today as when it first hit the airwaves.  

You’ve got a new album out called ‘George Lassos the Moon’ recorded with a group called ‘The Married Men’. It’s got a decidedly different sound and approach to Local H. I enjoyed it’s stripped down feel, and the Crazy Horse meets Pink Floyd (circa ‘More’) vibe a lot.

The fact that it was written for your estranged girlfriend as a way of getting her back, makes the whole experience that much more compelling.  Even if I hadn’t been aware of the album’s inspiration, its theme is immediately apparent from the word go. The songs hang elementally together in that context, right down to the Dylan cover ‘Positively 4th Street’.

In fact, I’d even say this is kinda like your ‘Blood On The Tracks’ or maybe Tom Petty’s ‘Wildflowers’, you know the ultimate breakup/relationship album. 

On that note, I’ll start with my first question…

What was your girlfriend’s reaction to the album, and are you two together now?

She liked it. And we are together now–but to her credit-it took a lot more than a couple of tunes to totally convince her. These songs aren’t magic…..or maybe they are. I don’t know.

How will the experience of making this record affect your work with ‘Local H’, is it the start of a new overall approach?

I’m not sure. I’ve always tried to never use formulas when it comes to Local H. But it’s possible that making solo records like this will just free me up to be harder and more fucked up when it comes to Local H records. But on the other hand : I like the poppy Local H songs, too.

In this era of Disney manufactured zygote pop, how do you maintain the will to keep creating music in a world where the masses no longer appreciate or even have the ability to recognize genuine musicianship or songwriting craft?

I’m not so sure that’s true. I think disposable crap has always been around-and will continue to be. And some of it is pretty great. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with a great piece of bubblegum-like, say, ‘Lip Gloss’ by ‘Lil Mama. Abba proved that years ago.

The 90s were really the last dying breath of the music business before the internet and Napster completely shifted the entire paradigm, how are you making out in this brave new world as far as earning a decent wage is concerned?

Not bad. Could always be better. But it could always be worse. We were lucky AND smart. We took that major label money and toured like crazy. We were able to build up a reputation and keep it going.

Which current bands are you digging right now?

The National. Evil Nine. Black Lips. Deerhunter. That last Richard Hawley record is pretty great. Them Crooked Vultures. I think Radiohead is still current-they’re probably my favorite.

Lady Gaga – total irrelevant pap devoid of substance or a genius take on Warhol’s observations on fame and materialism?

Oh, Jesus. I gotta say-I think she’s bullshit. The whole idea that she’s just being ironic and is much smarter than what she’s selling….What is that? Total cynicism? First of all-she’s just ripping off and mainstreaming Goldfrapp. Second-what makes any one of her singles ANY smarter than any number of singles that Beyonce has released since ‘Dangerously in Love’? Or Kylie Minogue? I defy Ms. Gaga to come out with a song as good as ‘Can’t Get You Out of My Head’. Lady Gaga? I’ll take Kesha. At least I won’t have to put up with the pretense.

‘Pack Up the Cats’ was a lost classic which got lost in the shuffle when your label at the time merged with Universal. How did you deal with all of that on a personal level, and what was it like working with legendary producer Roy Thomas Baker?

Ummm…..it was kinda tough. We knew it was a good record and it was hard to watch it get fucked over. But you can’t think like that when you make a record-at least I can’t. You can’t let yourself be guided by the need for other people’s approval. I love the record. It stands up on it’s own. And I got to watch the great Roy T. Baker work the faders. What more do I want?

Excluding any of your work, what would you say is the greatest album of the past 15 years?

‘In Rainbows’? Maybe ‘Rated R’ by Queens. Lots of great records.

Being a part of the Chicago lo-fi, indie, firmament, go on the record…, is Steve Albini as big of a pompous ass as he seems to be, or is he one of the greatest producers of the era?

Maybe he’s both. He’s also pretty funny. I’ve never worked with him. I’ve always been a little afraid to, actually. One of my best friends cleaned him out in poker last year–so, there’s that…..

We love you Scott, keep putting out the tremendous work, and don’t stop fighting the good fight… One last question, any advice for a young kid today that’s thinking about starting a band?

Thanks a lot, man-and thanks for all the kind words. Ummm-as for advice? I don’t know. Not to listen to anybody’s bullshit advice, I suppose.